Infant exerciser



Aug. 1 7, 1943.- I 'v, G, EISEL 2,327,253

INFANT EXERGI'SER Filed May 21, 1942 INVENTOR VE/P/YO/Y 6. 5/521 BY H/SATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 17, 1943 INFANT EXERCISER Vernon G. Eisel,Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Childhood Interests, Inc., a corporation ofNew Jersey Appl cation May 21, 1942, Serial No. 443,948

8 Claims.

This invention relates to infant exercisers, and more particularly to adevice adapted to be attached to a crib. As used in the specificationand claims, the word infant means a child be tween the ages of 3 and 12months.

It is a familiar expedient; to string a toy across the crib, to hold thetoy within the field of vision of the infant for, entertainment, and

and hand grip climbing elements are suspended therefrom at diiferent orstepped levels. The lowermost one or more of these hand grip climb- 'ingelements is within easy reach of the infant,

who having become familiar with the same, is induced to reach for thenext higher.

Preferably the hand grip climbing elements are carried by the lower endsof depending elements secured to the supporting element at spacedintervals therealong. These depending elements are preferably ofincreased'length from the sides toward the center, to bring thelowermost hand grip element to the middle of the crib, and the nexthigher nearer the side bars, so that when the highest is reached, theside bars themselves afiord means for further progress around the crib.

In order to prevent the hand grip elements from impact against orentanglement with the side bars of the crib, or to prevent bruising thefingers of the infant grasping the same by striking the side bars, eachdependent element is preferably shorter than the distance from the pointof suspension to either of the crib side bars.

To afford diversion and stimulate interest, the hand grip climbingelements are preferably of different types. particularly at difierentlevels, such as climbing knobs, trapeze bars and swinging rings. Thetypes are preferably paired at respective levels, for symmetry ofappearance and more particularly to encourage equal development of themuscles of both sides of the body. One such pair may be connected by abar to form a trapeze, and another pair spaced apart a distanceapproximately the width of the shoulders of the infant.

' the spring i2.

zontal bar, with flexible means for securing it to the crib side bars.With the trapeze suspended therebelow, the two constitute a rope ladder.Similarly the various types of hand grip elements may be used toadvantage either singly or in different combinations.

It may therefore be stated as an object of the invention to provide oneor more of the advantages set forth above.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent as the followingdetailed description proceeds, with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crib showing thepresent invention applied thereon;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed elevation partly in section, showingthe construction of the supporting element;

Figure 3 is a detailed elevation of one form of the trapeze bar; and

Figure 4 is a similar view of a modified trapeze bar, it beingunderstood that both forms may be combined. r

In the preferred embodiment shown, the sup porting element compriseshorizontal bar 5, which is secured to the top opposite side bars 6 and'l of the crib. The ends of the bar 5 are secured to the bars 5 and 1respectively by flexible means such as straps 8 having buckles 9. Theends of the bar 5 are provided with eyes III which may secure the straps8, but preferably a coiled tension spring i2 is interposed therebetweenfor greater resiliency, and for quick detachability a snap hook it isinterposed in the connection, between the strap 8 and the eye In, shownfor example as carried by the strap 8 and engaging A bell E5 to attractthe child's attention, is carried by the supporting member or itsconnection to the bar 5, being shown as having an integral eye l6threaded onto the coil of the spring i2. This construction makes itimpossible for the bell to become detached and swallowed.

The hand grip climbing elements are suspended from the supportingelement at different levels by depending means, preferably flexible,such as large cord or small rope, about the diameter of the infantsthumb. Such depending element is secured to the supportingelementintermediate its ends at a fixed point therealong. In the formshown the bar 5 is recessed, preferably bored through as at 18 andprovided with a larger counterbore I9 to receive a knot2li.

The different levels may be spaced along a The supporting element ispreferably a horisingle depending element 2|, or may be carried 23,which may of course include 2| also.

The element 2l,,which functions as a. climbing rope, has knob elements24, 25, 26 threaded thereon, the cord or rope being knotted as at V 21between the knobs and below the lowermost, as

stops to space and limit the downward sliding of the knobs thereon.

It should be noted, as shown in Figure 1, that the two lowermost knobs25 and 28 are preferably both within reach of the hands of the infantwithout raising himself up, so that in playing-with the elements 25 and26 he gets the hand over hand idea, to reach for the knob 24, equallyspaced thereabove. The lower ends of the elements 22 which function asthe swing ropes of a flying trapeze, support a bar 30, which preferablyhas knob elements 3| at each end, the elements 22 engaging the bar 30 atsymmetrical fixed points between the knobs.

As shown in Figure 3, the elements 22 are preferably integral, passingthrough holes in the bar 30, and forming a continuous loop therebelow.

As shown in Figure 4, the bar 30 may be supported on the single element2 I, forming a pivotal support at the center of the bar, the bar beingslidable as well as pivotal on the element 21 above the stop 21. Itshould be noted that Figures 3 and 4 are combined in Figure 1.

When the ends of the bar are slidable, as in Figure 3, or when pivotedabout the center as in Figure 4, the bar will yield when grasped by oneend knob thereof alone. This yielding directs the infant back to thehand over hand climbing idea. But when both end knobs are grasped, thebar does not yield, and the equal development of both arms is enhanced.

The hand grip climbing elements carried by the lower ends of thedepending elements 23 are preferably rings 33, the elements 23 beingloops passing through the ring 33, the doubled ends of the loop passingthrough the bore I8 and doubly knotted in the recess I9. -These rings33are spaced apart a distance approximately the width of the shouldersof the infant so that it can exert a direct equalized pull thereon withboth arms.

From' the foregoing description it will be readily apparent that thehand grip climbing elements are suspended at different levels, either onone element, as 24, 25 and 26, or on elements of different lengths 2|,22, and 23;, Also the elements 23, 22 and 2| in th order named are of.successively increased length from the sides toward the center. Theseelements 2t, 22, and 23 are each shorter than the distance from itspoint of support to either side of the crib.

Th lower knob 26 and preferably also the next higher knob 25 are withineasy reach of the infant, who is encouraged to reach for the nexthigher, either the knob 24 or the bar 30. With the pivoted bar of Figure4, the pivoting of the bar affords an exercising value and also interestin controlling the pivoting. A similar interest is afforded by thesliding looped bar of Figure 3, the infant learning that the bar willyield when the knobs are grasped singly, but will give satisfactorysupport when both are grasped simultaneously.

When the bar 30 has been mastered, the infant reaches for the rings 33,and by direct equalized pull thereon raises himself to standingposition. Alternately the infant may use the bar 30 and the bar as arope ladder to achieve standin position. In either event the steppedclimbing character of the device and its operation direct the infant tofurther progress around the crib by grasping the side bars themselves.

It will be understood that the various elements of the device shown canbe used either singly or combined and that the hand grip climbingelements may be rearranged as desired. Other modifications will occur tothose skilled in the art, and th invention therefore embraces suchembodiments thereof as fall within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a crib,comprising a supporting element adapted to extend part way across thecrib and above an infant placed therein, means for attaching the ends ofsaid supporting element to the top opposite side bars of the crib,depending elements of successively increased length from the sidestoward the center attached to said supporting element at spacedintervals therealong,

and hand grip climbing elements carried by the lower ends of saiddepending elements, at correspondingly increasingly lower levels.

2. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a, crib,comprising horizontal means adapted to extend part way acros the criband above an infant placed therein, flexible means for attaching theends of said horizontal means to the top opposite side bars of the crib,

depending elements of successively increased length from the sidestoward the center attached to said horizontal means at spaced intervalstherealong, and hand grip climbing elements carried by the lower ends ofsaid depending elements, the overall length of each depending elementand the hand grip climbing element carried thereby being shorter thanthe distance from its point of support to either side of the crib.

3. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a crib,comprising a supporting element adapted to extend part way across thecrib and above an infant placed therein, means for attaching the ends ofsaid supporting element to the top opposite side bars of the crib,depending elements of successively increased length from the sidestoward the center attached to said supporting, element at spacedintervals therealong, difiering pairs of hand grip elements carried bythe lower ends of said depending elements, the two outermost ofsaid'depending elements being of equal length and carrying one of saidpairs, and the two next outermost and of next greater length of saiddepending elements being of equal length and carrying another of saiddiffering pairs at a lower level. I

4. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a, crib,comprising a supporting element adapted to extend part way across thecrib and above an infant placed therein, means for attaching the ends ofsaid supporting element to the top opposite side bars of the crib,tension spring means interposed between an end of said supportingelement and its attachment to the crib, depending means ofsuccessivelyincreased length from the sides toward the center attachedto said supporting element at spaced points therealong the overalllength of each depending means being shorter than the distance from itspoint of support to either side of the crib.

5. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a crib,comprising a supporting element adapted to extend part way across thecrib and above an infant placed therein. means for attaching the ends ofsaid supporting element to the top opposite side bars of the crib, apair of rings suspended from said supporting element at points spacedinwardly from the side bars of the crib and spaced apart a distanceapproximately the width of the shoulders of the infant, a. trapeze bar,and means for suspending said trapeze bar from said supporting elementto depend between said rings and below the level thereof the overalllength of each suspended element and its suspending means being shorterthan the distance from its point of support to either side of the crib.

.6. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a crib,comprising a supporting element adapted to extend part way across thecrib and above an infant placed therein, means for attaching the ends ofsaid supporting element to the top opposite side bars of the crib, apair of rings symmetrically suspended from said supporting element atpoints spaced inward from the side bars of the crib and spaced apart adistance approximately the width of the shoulders of the infant, atrapeze suspended from said supporting element between said rings andextending therebelow, and a climbing rope engaging the center of saidtrapeze and extending therebelow.

"I. An infant exerciser for attachment to the element adapted to extendpart way across the crib, means for attaching the ends of said elementto the top side bars of the crib andabove an infant placed therein,depending elements of successively increased length from the sidestoward the center attached to said supporting element, and a bar havingits mid point supported by one of 'said depending elements and havingsliding engagement at symmetrical points near its ends with two othersof said depending elements. t

8. An infant exerciser for attachment to the upper portion of a crib,comprising a horizontal bar adapted to extend part way across the criband above an infant placed therein, coiled tension springs respectivelysecured at one of their ends to the ends ofvsaid bar, means engaging theother ends of said springs and adapted to be buckled around the topopposite side bars of the crib, depending elements of successivelyincreased length from the sides toward thecenter attached to said bar atspaced points therealong, and hand grip climbing elements secured to thelower ends of said depending elements, and said bar being recessed toreceive said depending elements and retain them in spaced relation.

VERNON G. EISEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION:

Patent No. 2,527,253. August 17, 1915.

VERNON G EI SEL "It is hereby certified that error appears of the shovenumbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column,line 11.1, for "the" second occfirrence, read -its--; pslge 3, sec- 0ndcolumn, line l|-5, claim, strike out "and above an infant placedtherein" and insert 'the same in line 5, m n n; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the somemay conform to the recorq of the case in the Patent Office.

.Signed and sealed this'lhth day of September, A. n. 1915.

Henry Van Arsdele,

(Seal) Acting iommissioner of Patents.

in the prihted specification

